Nate Diaz is aware of he can nonetheless compete with the most effective fighters in a number of divisions within the UFC. That is why, after defeating Max Holloway in March, he known as for a match towards new “BMF” champion Charles Oliveira.
However Diaz stated that declare was successfully terminated after Oliveira claimed he was gunning for light-weight gold after beforehand holding the light-weight title however falling quick in two championship fights towards Islam Makhachev and Ilya Topria. Diaz understood Oliveira’s choice, however was understandably irritated to listen to “De Bronx” point out a potential matchup with Conor McGregor, who’s coming off a five-year layoff as a consequence of back-to-back losses and a damaged leg in his last UFC combat.
“Since Oliveira received the belt, I used to be ready for one thing outrageous to occur,” Diaz advised MMA Combating. “Oliveira is the person. I have been round longer than Oliveira. Everybody thinks he will kill me, however I am proper. I at all times puzzled why me and Oliveira by no means fought. After I was messing with everybody, O Ribeira was at all times kicking his ass, however now he simply comes out of nowhere. So when he lastly received the belt and was round, I used to be like, oh shit, I’ll combat Oliveira. So I stated, ‘What is going on on with Oliveira? Out of respect, I needed to combat Oliveira and he stated, “No, thanks.” (He stated) “I’ll combat for a title and do one thing large like this,” and I am like “OK, you probably did it.” I do not also have a belt, and I would not be shocked if individuals known as me a chunk of shit.
“I imply, you are there and he wins a combat after which he calls Conor. When he known as Conor, that is precisely what I assumed. Why would you combat a man who’s getting back from a leg break, who simply received knocked out, and he is all good and on a downward spiral, and also you are available in right here and you are like, ‘No thanks, buddy, I am attempting to do greater issues.’
Diaz, who will combat Mike Perry in Saturday’s co-main occasion of Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano, does not perceive that Oliveira has someway ignored her, however continues to tout her curiosity in combating McGregor.
In fact, Oliveira has been speaking about going through McGregor for a number of years now, however Diaz hasn’t thought of how that matchup would have an effect on his profession, particularly if he is attempting to get again on observe for a shot on the UFC light-weight title.
“It is such as you’re bullying a man who simply retains getting his butt off, you son of a bitch?” Díaz stated of Oliveira. “You are stuffed with shit. You assume you are fucking stiff. So I had one thing to say about Oliveira. Apart from that, I haven’t got something towards him.
“No, thanks, buddy, I am all in favour of greater and higher issues. Like, what? Bullying a man who’s simply been butting his ass off your complete time? That is gross.”
He additionally turned down curiosity in combating Dustin Poirier for comparable causes after the previous interim UFC light-weight champion retired from lively responsibility following a loss to Max Holloway.
However Oliveira suits into a totally totally different class. That is as a result of he is nonetheless lively, a former UFC champion, and holds the “BMF” title that Diaz successfully helped create the belt for.
The truth that Oliveira appeared very all in favour of combating McGregor, however not Diaz, solely provides gasoline to the fireplace for the longer term.
“These motherfuckers are what I am attempting to combat,” Diaz stated of Oliveira. “I am combating bullies.”
